More than 300 bicycles make streets green for a day

There was no way to describe them, except with color. They were green. All shades of green.

Those wearing green ranged from infants to grandmothers. There were occupiers, anarchists, business people, politicians, police officers and firefighters, unemployed workers and the homeless — all out to celebrate a nice day and some new greenways in Asheville.

The route took them over downtown streets, greenways along rushing creeks, paths along the river, through the woods, and even into a sculpture garden. They heard from several people along the route about efforts to improve the multi-modal transportation system in Asheville.

At their first stop in Montford, above the newly-acquired UNCA property that some dubbed the Momentum mud-hole, the riders heard from UNCA Vice Chancellor John Pierce: He explained how the university came to own the property and noted its commitment to finishing the greenway through it.

Off to West Asheville, with a stop at The Gnomon, also known as Christopher’s garden. Just as the day started getting warm, bikers started flooding into the space, decorated over time with bottles, cast-off metal things and ceramic sculpture. After the long climb up from the river, some looked like they needed a break, others were ready to continue on and scale the steep climb to Mt. Pisgah. Along Haywood Road and a left down the hill brought them to a new greenway on its first anniversary, the Hominy Creek Greenway, and some biked off-road through some really green woods.

From there an easy ride along the river brought them to the Wedge Brewery for welcome refreshments and food.